Ok, so I agree that youth is something to be cherished and appreciated, because it’s a very important stage in ones life; in youth we learn over half of what we will ever learn, we develop our sense of self, our unique perceptions of the world, and of course: we are seen to be at our most beautiful and healthy. Youth is generally viewed as the ‘prime’ and ‘best times’ of our lives.
But where has the beauty of old age gone? Where is the cherishing and appreciation of having lived past youth? Having experienced youth and adulthood, having gained ones own educated opinions on life and the world, is there not a better way to be rewarded for such than being misjudged by those that don’t understand? It seems that these days the appeal of youth is being overestimated, whilst the appeal of old age is being sadly undervalued, ignored even. Do we ignore such because we fear old age? Are we ignoring some pressing issues of old age in the same way someone might ignore a homeless person as they walk by, adamant that it’s not their problem, not their fault and not their duty to help?
There is equal guilt surrounding ignorance upon the issues of youth, whereby people assume youths are being cared for adequately and therefore don’t need additional help or assistance. Issues such as teenage suicide, drugs, education and healthcare are becoming more and more significant, and dangers for the youth of modern society are increasing. Is it a rise in issues surrounding old age and youth that are causing some conflict between the perceptions of the two?
Even aside from the most significant problems surrounding youth and old age, there are additional issues. Earlier I mentioned the appeal of youth being overestimated; in elaboration to that point, I feel that the aesthetic appeals of youth are being overestimated. I think that too many people are being pressured into believing that ‘reversing age’, as can be seen in countless advertisements, is a way to erase problems, and to induce a return of youthful carelessness and naive happiness. This is insulting not only to old people, in undermining the beauty of wisdom, but also to youth, as it heightens stereotypes that young people are just ‘pretty faces’, and are carefree, ignorant of their own identities and constantly zesty for life. People should be encouraged to love themselves how they are, to cherish the wrinkles on their faces, the lines from laughter, rather than being pressured to change who they are or rid themselves of it.
In the advertisement I saw, which inspired this essay, it claims ‘You are whatever you think you think you are! It is easy to change your mind!’ and ‘reveal a whole new you’. But why does one need Neuro Linguistic Programming, skin products or plastic surgery to make them feel or look young again? Some argue it is to remind them of their youth; the best times of their life, but why can’t wrinkles themselves be a reminder of youth, for it is from facial expressions made in youth and throughout ones life that those wrinkles are created. Even a seemingly undesirable scar can be a reminder of youth and experience.
So, why all this stereotyping and misperception? Why is there such a huge void between youth and old age? Is this void the cause of or the effect of the misunderstandings associated with both? Who is to blame?
The truthful answer to that question is that we are all somewhat to blame. I think largely though the media is to blame: for pressuring young people to be beautiful, forcing false ideas of ‘perfection’ into some young people’s minds, encouraging people to stay young looking, and then encouraging old people to make themselves look young again. With all of the media bias, general bias, and the conventional ideals being fed into the minds of the public, it is no wonder that there is a common misunderstanding.
Another reason for the widespread void could have to do with some young people having no actual contact with old people in reality, for example: having no grandparents. Perhaps if more relationships between the young and old were struck then the understanding would heighten and each would discover some sort of relation to one another.
Does the world not realise that not all old people are incapacitated by physical conditions, or the desire to sit knitting in a rocking chair sipping endless cups of tea? I think it’s wrong to stereotype all old people as boring people who moan about everything whilst waiting to pop their clogs (although there are probably a few out there). I find it equally wrong to stereotype youth though, to assume that all youths are wild party-goers, obsessed physical beauty, with no care for anything that doesn’t apply to them (although there are probably a few of those out there too).
I believe people should have the freedom to do whatever they want to be happy, therefore I don’t totally disagree with plastic surgery, Neuro Linguistic Programming, or cosmetic products, for example: if one wants to have a frown line removed because it reflects bad times, or their eyelids made more youthful to take away the look of tiredness and stress, then so be it, but with the overwhelming pressure to be young and stereotypically ‘beautiful’, and the strong waves of misunderstandings and presumptions regarding youth and old age, is that making anyone happy? I don’t think so.
